Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Spring Cleaning With Goodwill

It is that time of year again when we all have the urge to get rid of the useless items , reclaim our garages, and restore order in our home. I used to try to do spring cleaning in one week, but with endless activities on our calendar, it makes it difficult to devote a week's worth of my time to just cleaning. Who really has time for that?

Instead of doing one deep cleaning try “spring cleaning” all year long rather than trying to set aside a specific time to do this. By simply incorporating smaller scale spring cleaning projects into your daily routine, you can accomplish the same tasks on your limited schedule.

Make a Checklist- Begin by making a checklist of everything that you would normally do during your spring cleaning. Tasks like washing all the linens and drapes, wiping down baseboards, washing windows inside and out, cleaning out your pantry, washing your shower curtains, organizing your linen cabinets, wiping down walls, and cleaning doorknobs and light fixtures are items that are typically on a spring cleaning checklist.

Take Inventory of Your Supplies- Take inventory of your cleaners and the tools that you will need in order to accomplish all of the necessary cleaning. Nothing is worse then getting ready to do your task and then finding out that you are missing that one component needed to complete your task. Put the items that you will need on your shopping list and get these items on the day that you perform all of your errands.

Add Just One Hour- Continue doing your normal daily routine, but add an extra hour each week towards accomplishing just one of these tasks on your list. Check off the items that you accomplish and press on to the next one. By just devoting one hour a week towards your spring cleaning goals you will have a more manageable deep cleaning routine.

Reclaim Your Home- Clear out as much clutter as you can. Make a box for trash and a box for your Goodwill donations and fill these with all of the unnecessary clutter in your home. By donating these items to Goodwill your items continue to help Goodwill’s mission to provide jobs, training and placement services for people with barriers to employment. Not only will someone who needs these items more benefit from your donation, but you can receive a tax break and reclaim space in your own home. If you don’t like to dust it, don’t love the item, and want an organized home- donate it!!

Make Cleaning Convenient- Keep a caddy of cleaning supplies on each floor. I find it much easier to clean my house when I know that the tools that I need to accomplish my task are just a few steps away. Keep your checklist either in one of your caddies or somewhere that is accessible so that you can always stay on track with your deep cleaning.

As an aside, I also encourage you to do your cleaning when it is convenient for you. Some people work better during morning hours while others of us would rather be snoozing and do better in the evening. Take advantage of the times that you work best. If you would rather break the hour into smaller increments that is totally up to you. The idea behind all of this is to make it as easy as possible so fit it in wherever and whenever you can.

Get the Kids Involved- Enlist your helpers to help you on these tasks. Your children and your husband can be active participants in getting your home organized just like they help to contribute to the clutter. Schedule dad for clearing out the garage, taking inventory of the tools you will need to do your gardening, cleaning out the basement, weeding through the family electronics, or other tasks inside and outside of the home. Children can aid in cleaning their own rooms by helping to remove some of the clutter in the house. Involving your family can be beneficial in showing them all that you do to keep your house running smoothly.

Make it Fun- Whatever you do, try to make the experience a fun one. Turn on some great music, watch television while polishing tables, do whatever you can to make getting your home clean easier and more enjoyable.

What are your best tips for Spring Cleaning? We would love to hear how you accomplish the Spring Cleaning in your home!

Please click on the above pictures for photo credit and to access the photographer information for each image.

Meet Our Contributors

Kathy Friend

Kathy Friend

Kathy is a nationally

known Wardrobe Stylist and Image Consultant and the President of the Style & Image Institute.She has styled looks for celebrities in Hollywood for Warner Brothers, amazing looks for red carpet events, for political campaigns, and most importantly...she hasupped the style-factor for moms, business owners and entrepreneurs.

She writes for several magazines and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs as a Fashion Expert.Through the Style & Image Institute, she trains and certifies others who want to be a personal stylist, wardrobe stylist, personal shopper and image consultant.

In her words: “I pridemyself as a "fashion therapist" and am convinced the rightpair of shoes CAN change your life.”

Debie Coble

Debie Coble

Debie Coble is the President & CEO for Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. She started with the organization in 1990 as a store manager. Later that year she started serving in the department that executes the mission of Goodwill.

In 1996 she became the Vice President of Workforce Development Services, and in November of 2013, she began serving as the President & CEO.

Debie has an undergraduate degree in business management from Anderson University and a Masters in Public and Environmental Affairs from Indiana University. She completed Goodwill Industries International’s Executive Training Program in 2007.She serves on the board of the Association for Fundraising Professionals, the St. Joseph County Re-Entry Task Force and the South Bend Violence Reduction Taskforce.

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Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.

VISION

We envision a community where all individuals with disabilities and disadvantages will have opportunities to enjoy the full benefits of competitive employment. To make this vision become reality, we will focus on being the leading provider of workforce development services in the communities we serve. The core of our programs and services will continue to empower each individual to be productive and independent based on his or her abilities.

MISSION

Our Mission is to strengthen communities by empowering individuals and families through education, training and job placement.

VALUES

Work - We believe in the inherent value of work; if there is work, there is hope. Work has a greater value than charity.

Respect - We treat all people with dignity and respect.

Stewardship - We honor our heritage by being socially, financially, and environmentally responsible.

Ethics - We commit to strive to meet the highest ethical standards.

Learning - We challenge each other to strive for excellence and to continually learn.